Piloti driving shoes

Piloti driving shoes

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Discussion

itcaptainslow

Original Poster:

3,699 posts

136 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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I'm after a pair of Piloti driving trainers to replace my Puma Speedcats, however I'm struggling to find any. Demon Tweeks list some but display no price or availability, and a quick search proves fruitless.

Can anyone suggest where I can get some and also any alternatives that are well liked?

markmullen

15,877 posts

234 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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The company went bust AIUI and there was no supply for a while. The last I heard they were back in business but mainly with the more sporty looking ones which is a shame as the smarter ones were ideal for my work.

I've no experience of them but I'm fancying some OMP Nurburgring.

Chicane-UK

3,861 posts

185 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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You can still buy Speedcats I believe? I also found that the Speedcats are far more slender and slimmer fitting than Piloti's.. bought a pair of them at the NEC Classic Car Show quite a few years back and they've hardly been worn compared to several sets of Speedcats I've worn through!

Bohemianesque

254 posts

164 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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Have you thought about Herring Le Mans?

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&am...

Slagathore

5,810 posts

192 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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I bought a couple of pairs off eBay, so might be worth looking on there. The company were bust then, so that was the only place I could find them in my size.

I've got a couple pairs of Puma driving shoes, but the Pilotis are much more comfortable. A lot more padding and a firmer sole.

996TT02

3,308 posts

140 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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I find that any shoe with absolutely no heel at all to be ideal for driving in. Quite a few options from the mainstream trainer manufacturers. I made an emergency buy at a Decathlon in France, some own brand cheapies, and I find them great, if not for walking in.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

246 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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Why not just take your shoes off in the car???

g3org3y

20,627 posts

191 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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Are the shoes to be worn exclusively for driving or will there also be interaction with the outside world? If the latter, I can recommend Converse All Stars. Thin sole, good feel, easy to drive in plus they look 'normal'.

mdw

331 posts

274 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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Pele radium are similar. Bottom end of the price range but if you glue the inner sole to the base with contact adhesive they wont squeak and are fine for for driving in. Thinish hard sole so not for walking long distances but have a rounded heal and slim fit. Not the best range of colours but then neither are the speed cats.

Tickle

4,915 posts

204 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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I drive in puma sparco speed cats, but did have a looked at the Pilotis to replace them. Demon Tweeks seem to only stock odd 1/2 sizes though.

Have you looked at the Sparco pit lane? A few outlet places on Fleabay selling them off, look quite similar in style to the Pilotis, albeit in small sizes.

this place has them cheap too, again if your small footed!

http://www.murraymotorsport.com/products/Sparco-pi...




Edited by Tickle on Saturday 10th May 07:50

MagneticMeerkat

1,763 posts

205 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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A pair of lace up plimsolls will do almost exactly the same thing, and cost about £3!! Can be got almost anywhere too; there are special dance ones for roughly the same price. Plus with the canvas/fabric pump being in fashion at the moment one can get away with wearing them. I have several pairs and just buy new ones when they fall apart; which is less often then may be assumed.

Plus they don't suffer the innate hideousness of the 'driving shoe' - which in reality is a light shoe with a thin sole. Like, funnily enough, a plimsoll!! All you need to be able to do is feel the pedals through the shoe.

itcaptainslow

Original Poster:

3,699 posts

136 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
quotequote all
Bohemianesque said:
Have you thought about Herring Le Mans?

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&am...
I'm looking for something more trainer like rather than those, nice as they are. I'm after something that can be worn casually after going somewhere in the car as well as driving it.

Speedcats are good but I find the soles just not wide enough for heel & toeing in the Elise.

Searching on eBay has turned up a few pairs but in silly sizes (5's and 6's) where I'm a 10-11, so I think it's going to be a case of being patient frown

Edited by itcaptainslow on Saturday 10th May 09:34

ecsrobin

17,117 posts

165 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
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About 3 years ago I managed to pick up 2 pairs of piloti lusso's for £25 a pair in TK max. Didn't pistonheads used to sell them for a while?

I'm interested to know on alternative options as whilst they are a great shoe having a leather outer and inner can get warm in the summer, but they also need to look half decent in a restaurant.

MC Bodge

21,627 posts

175 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
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I have a pair of brown Hush Puppies that are basically, through design or accident, presentable driving shoes and the best I have for it.

Wrap-around heel, a sole that is rounded on the sides( many shoes are square, which can hinder rolling on and off the pedals), thin sole, the right width for heel toe.

They came from a shop at Cheshire Oaks.

Some Onitsuka Tiger are quite good too.

...or use Gucci loafers

Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 11th May 23:45

acf8181

797 posts

234 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
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I've got a pair of Piloti's, and some Puma replicat....rarely wear the former as the later is more comfortable and i also find the piloti's too hot

poppopbangbang

1,837 posts

141 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
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Puma Speedcats or Puma Driftcats. The only sensible choice - we nearly live in them! Sole is just so correct for heel and toe, good support, thin enough for cramped tunnels and damn comfy day to day too. Pilotis were amongst the worst shoes I've ever tried to drive in (too big, too padded, too heavy, stupid stupid sole that was apparently meant to be better for heel and toe) and it's not just me that thinks that, they gave away shed loads of them to motorsport people a few years ago and we all felt the same.

So yeah you could say I'm not a fan wink

strudel

5,888 posts

227 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
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Have they stopped making speedcats though?

gavsdavs

1,203 posts

126 months

Monday 12th May 2014
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Wetsuit boots smile

itcaptainslow

Original Poster:

3,699 posts

136 months

Monday 12th May 2014
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Looks like I'll stick with the Speedcats then, cheers guys smile quite a few people have said similar things about the Piloti's.

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Monday 12th May 2014
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I find the ultimate driving shoes for spirited driving are adidas taekwondo shoes. SOO comfy and the sole provides amazing pedal feel!